Women’s Leadership Conference 2026
Tuesday, 24th March 2026
Restaurant Hôtel du Parc des Eaux-Vives, Geneva, Switzerland
What was the conference purpose?
To promote and accelerate the impact of women’s leadership as a positive force for change
To provide a forum, where dynamic, trail-blazing women leaders can share their experiences and learnings to help overcome the challenges of our times within the communities in which we operate.
What were the benefits of attending?
- Enhance your role as a leader
- Bring current themes in women’s leadership to the forefront of your organisation
- Further develop your leadership skills and advance your business acumen
- Succeed as a strong role model for other women
- Meet like-minded leaders from different sectors
- Grow your network and make valuable contacts
Who attended
- Leaders and Aspiring Leaders
- Company Directors and Partners
- Key Department Heads
- Business Owners
- Senior Leads in HR and Talent Management
- Diversity and Inclusion Specialists
- Professors and Subject Experts
What were some of the objectives
- Develop skills to lead during challenging times
- Learn how to overcome obstacles in career and life
- Build deep inner confidence, strength and resilience
- Practice assertive, positive leadership as a force for good
- Increase networks with like-minded women
Would you like to find out more?
Conference Organisers
Dr. Susan Baragwanath
Co-chair
Susan Baragwanath is an authority in Women’s Leadership. She has had extensive international experience in education and criminal justice and has mentored dozens of women from all walks of life. She has recently organized two international strategic programs for Women’s Leadership in London, chaired international search committees for outstanding women leaders, and is a Distinguished Eisenhower Fellow. In 2005, she received the highest academic award in the Humanities, Doctor of Letters, for education reform of school age mothers in New Zealand.
Cassandre Burgess
Co-chair
Cassandre Burgess is Head of Operations and Finance of MyPhy, She is also a public speaking coach and workshop facilitator. She regularly teaches classes including Project Management and Leadership for Bachelor and Master’s students. Originally from South Africa, she has extensive experience in the mining industry and in finance, having worked with key players in both sectors. With a passion for developing leadership in young people and empowering them to reach their potential, Cassandre is active in multiple associations and community groups in the Geneva region.
Keynote Speaker
The Rt.Hon. The Baroness Hooper
Member of the House of Lords, Former Government Minister
The Rt. Hon. The Baroness Hooper is a respected British parliamentarian and solicitor. Formerly a Minister and Deputy Speaker, she has held leadership roles across EU and Commonwealth institutions and has long been active in cultural heritage and international relations.
Speakers
Elise Buckle
Convener, Founder & Chief Empowerment Officer at Climate Bridges, Member of the Club of Rome
Elise Buckle is a recognised climate strategist, CEO of Climate Bridges, Club of Rome member, and International Gender Champion, advising global institutions and shaping transformative alliances for sustainability.
Sofia de Meyer
Founder, Impact Entrepreneur and Board Member
Sofia is an entrepreneur focused on building regenerative business models. She founded Whitepod, an award-winning eco-tourism destination in the Swiss Alps, and Opaline, a Swiss B Corp beverage company, both designed around circular and regenerative principles. Today she brings her entrepreneurial experience to NGOs and companies, working with leadership teams to integrate sustainability into strategy, culture and decision-making, supporting the shift toward more regenerative and resilient economic systems.
Dr. Sowon Kim
Professor, EHL Hospitality School
Dr. Sowon Kim, Associate Professor and founder of Women in Leadership at EHL, brings 20+ years across three continents to her work on human-centric, cross-cultural leadership. She now focuses on defining timeless hospitality skills and co-creating Al-enabled learning that helps leaders practice them.
Olivia Dhordain
Intellectual property lawyer, teacher, writer and artist
Founder of Outboxing IP, Olivia offers strategic and pragmatic IP advice rooted in her 25 years of experience notably overseeing the IP strategies of the most aspirational luxury Maisons.
Olivia teaches IP, as well as history of art; she serves on boards; is the author of « Luxury in Court all that glitters is not law » and the illustrator of The Tree and The Mountain – Dare to become by Jonathan Cave.
Simone Duarte
Award-Winning Journalist, Author, Founder “Out of Paper”
Simone is an award winning Brazilian journalist, widely known as “the voice of 9/11 in Brazil” for her live coverage to an audience of 60 million. A contributing writer for Piauí magazine, she also directed the first major documentary on Sergio Vieira de Mello (En Route to Baghdad). Her book The Wind Changed Direction was nominated for Brazil’s most prestigious literary prize.
Christine Batruch
President of the Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation, President Anima Conseils
Christine, a citizen of Canada and Switzerland, is a historian and lawyer by education. Based in Geneva, she has worked in the academic, business, and non-profit sectors.
Anne Lesueur
Director of Culture and People Development, L’Occitane En Provence
With over 20 years of experience in digital transformation and people development, Anne serves as Culture & People Development Director at L’Occitane en Provence.
She leads global initiatives shaping leadership, talent and organisational culture. Passionate about human-centred leadership, she empowers the organisation to learn, innovate and thrive in times of transformation.
Vindou Duc
Founder of Nextep, Executive Coach
Founder of The Nextep and seasoned global HR leader, Vindou empowers executives to align people, culture, and strategy, driving meaningful growth and sustainable organisational performance.
Christèle Hiss Holliger
Independent Board Director, Executive Coach and Mentor
Christèle is a pioneering leader and former Pictet Equity Partner, now serving on international boards and supporting senior executives as a strategic advisor, Executive Coach, and Mentor.
Tania Cotton
Founder of Movementwise.org, Movement Analyst, Film Producer and Director
Tania Cotton is a health and human performance specialist, physiotherapist and filmmaker who empowers people to build resilience through MovementWise.org, uniting experts to help individuals overcome physical and emotional challenges.
Photo Gallery
Get in touch
If you would like to attend or speak at Women’s Leadership Conference 2027 or to ask any questions, get in touch using this form. We’ll gladly arrange a call to talk about your specific needs